Plating machine



May 24, 1932- v. D. HAMILTON PLATING MACHI NE Filed Sept. 5, 1929 ATTORNEY.

Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED sures VANCE n. HAMILTON, or FERNDALE, MICHIGAN PLATING MACHINE A ppIication filed September 5, 1929. Serial No. 390,642.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a plating machine, and has for its object the provision of a plating machine so arranged and constructed as to prevent short circuiting of the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plating machine in which the positive current may be directed through the work.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plating machine which will be economical to operate and highly eflicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the pro- 15 vision of a plating machine whereby the amount of work operated upon can be considerably increased over that which can be operated upon by machines known at the present time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plating machine having a power rotated container rotated by power other than that derived from the circuit used for plating.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings 30 which form a part of this specification, and

in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View through the plate retainer.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

The invention comprises a base formed from metal and projecting upwardly from which is the standard 11 having the reduced portion 12 which is inserted in a press fit in the cup shaped member 13 formed from suitable insulating material. This cup shaped member 13 is mounted as a press fit in the hollow standard 14 having the deflecting hood 15 mounted on its lower end. Yoke arms or supand a stud projects outwardly from the porting standards 16 and 17 project upwardly from the standard 14. A U shaped sup porting member having the legs 18 and 19 is positioned between the yoke arms 16 and 17 I arm 17 and engages in the leg 19 to serve as a pivot therefor. A shaft 21 is projected through the arm 16 and through the leg 18 and serves as a pivot for the leg 18. The shaft is in alignment with the stud 20. Projecting upwardly from the leg 19 is the arm 22 having a bearing 23 formed thereon through which is projected the shaft 24. The end ofthis shaft engages in the socket 25 formed in the bight 26 of the U shaped member, this: shaft 24 being rotatable in the bearing 23 and thesocket 25. The upper end of the shaft 24 is keyed to the head 27 which is provided with the flange 28 secured to the base 29 of the tub' or container 30. Bolts 31 are projected through the flange 28, the base 29 and the copper or metal ring 32 which is positioned within the container'or tub 30. Formed on the head is a bevel gear 33 meshing with a bevel gear 34 fixedly mounted on the shaft 21.

A worm gear 35 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 21 and meshes with a worm gear 36 fixedly mounted on the shaft 37 which is connected to the shaft 38 which is driven by the motor 39. Positioned between the shafts 37 and 38 is a layer of insulation 40. The motor 39 is mounted on the supporting arm 41 which projects outwardly from the yoke arms 16 and 17 and the layer of insulation 42insulates the motor 39 from the supportin arm 41.

The tub 30 serves as a receptacle for the workpieces to be plated and contains the solution which is indicated as extending to W the level line 43.

The anode plate 44 is connected to the positive wire 45 of a suitable source of electrical energy by means of the link 46. This link 46 connects through the insulating link 47 to 95 the cable or other flexible element 48 which is passed through the pulleys 49 and 50 and to which is secured the counterweight 51. The ring 32 which serves as the cathode is connected throughthe bolts 31, fiange28 and the connecting parts of the negative line 52 which is connected to the yoke arm 16.

The motor 39 is not connected in the same circuit as are the wires 45 and 52.

A splash shield 53 is mounted on the base 10 and projected above the lower edge of the shield 15 at one side to prevent any splashing upwardly within the shield 15 which might cause a shorting.

Projected through and journaled in the yoke arms 16 and 17 is a shaft 54 fixedly mounted upon which is a ratchet wheel 55 engageable with the dog 56 mounted on the outer face of the arm 17 and held by the spring 57 in engagement with the wheel 55. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 54 is a hand wheel 58. A collar 59 is fixedly mounted on the shaft and attached to this collar is one end of a cord or flexible element 60 which is passed around a pulley 61 held by the bight 26. The opposite end of the flexible element 60 is attached to the standard 14-. The construction is such that by a rotation of-the shaft 54 the inclination of the tub may be altered.

On account of the insulated mounting of the tub there is no likelihood of grounding and the operation of the mechanism need not on such mounting be interrupted. When the deposit on the ring 32 becomes excessive the current may be reversed and the plate 44 used as a cathode instead of an anode. This will eliminate the necessity of removing and cleaning the ring 32 while at the same time it will serve to economize the plating material used.

In this Way a rotatable plating container is provided in which the advantages sought are attained.

WVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A plating machine of the class described, comprising: a supporting standard; a cup shaped insulating member mounted in inverted relation over the upper end of said standard; a supporting yoke; a hollow standard on said yoke embracing said insulating member; a solution container; and means for mounting said solution container tiltably on said yoke.

2. A plating machine of the class described, comprising: a supporting standard; a cup shaped insulating member mounted in inverted relation over the upper end of said standard; a supporting yoke; a hollow standard on said yoke embracing said insulating member; a solution container; means for mounting saidsolution container tiltably on VANCE D. HAMILTON. 

